2012 Year in Review!! My top books and series of the year!
If you have any favorite reads for this year please share! 2012 has been quite a year for me. I’ve read some incredible books, some great books, some not so great books, some terrible books. But overall it contributed to read count of over 131 stories this year. It’s kind of funny because I feel like a slacker compared to some other Goodreads friends who I’ve seen read over 400+ books; one even read over 900. But good or bad, I’ll take it as a victory. Communiting to and from my job takes a good 2 hours of my day, which allows me to and dedicate most of that to reading. A broken iPod has helped quite a bit too, but Christmas kind of rectified that so I’ll have to see how my read count in 2013 compares. But in the meantime, I want to narrow things down and present my favorite urban fantasy/paranormal books of 2012.
1
Ever After ARC (The Hollows #11) by Kim Harrison
I debated listing this one because it technically doesn’t come out until 2013, but it rocked my personal socks this year, and I’m sure it will rock yours in January, so I’m going to list it.
2
All Dorina Basarab novels, including Fury’s Kiss by Karen Chance
Though I was fairly familiar with its original sister series, Cassandra “Cassie” Palmer, I was really surprised to find that I love this series infinitely more. It’s got all of the pluses, none of the annoyances. Dory is a riot, but she kicks ass too. It just pains me that it take 2 years between books.
3
Wicked as They Come (Blud #1) by Delilah S. Dawson
Early on in the year this was my favorite book. The world was new, interesting and exciting. And Criminy was awesome! I definitely can’t wait for the next book featuring him and Tish, but much like Karen Chance, this author alternates from book to book.
4
A Perfect Blood (The Hollows #10) by Kim Harrison
Yes, the Hollows takes two spots on my list. In addition to the Ever After ARC, with all of the different publications this year from Into the Woods to Blood Crime to Trouble on Reserve to Trent’s POV from the paperback of A Perfect Blood, two spots can’t be surprising. However, while good, this book wasn’t quite in the same class as Ever After, but I did love it. And like most Trenchers out there, Trent’s POV left me speechless! Oh and it’s also pretty awesome anytime I can meet Kim Harrison!
5
Kingmakers (Vampire Empire #3) by Susan and Clay Griffith
This was another fantastic finish to a wonderful trilogy. I was fortunate enough to read the ARC for this series and I loved it! If only there was more!
6
Dead Morning Sky (Experiment in Terror #3) by Karina Halle
I wanted scary and I got scary! Just a little more than I bargained for with the weird crap that was happening OFF the pages while reading it. And funny enough, there was no repeat of that peculiar activity after I was done. I have since stopped here, but there are definitely more books with Dex and Perry’s adventures. I plan to get to them after catching up with the Night Huntress series that I’m currently reading.
7
Ashes of Honor (October Daye #6) by Seanan McGuire
I read this book at a pretty difficult time. I started reading it and then I got my hands on the Ever After ARC. I was riding too much of a high for anything else to compare, including this. But in hindsight, this book rocks and I bet the next book will be my favorite of the series!
8
Tale of the Vampire Bride by Rhiannon Frater
I was gripped from beginning to end on this one. It’s not an easy read, and do not mistake this for a romance. It’s more like one of those train-wrecks that you can’t look away from. Unfortunately the sequel was nowhere near as good, but I hope this series continues eventually. I would love to read a third book if it could get back to the level of book 1.
9
Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee
I have a bit of an aversion when it comes to the Young Adult genre, but this is an exception. I LOVED this book and I often find myself wondering how long it’d be until the second book is released. That’s definitely a sign of a book worthy of this list. Even better, it’s probably the best $0.99 I’ve spent on a book!
10
Love is Fear (Valerie Dearborn #2) by Caroline Hanson
Though this trilogy arc is complete, this book is probably my favorite of the three. I finished wanting more, more, MORE!
Honorable Mentions
Iced (Dani O’Malley #1) by Karen Marie Moning - I definitely didn’t inhale this one as fast as the original Fever novels, but it did leave an impression. Honestly though, I just want more Mac and Barrons!
At Grave’s End (Night Huntress #3) by Jeaniene Frost - The review is pending right now because I wanted to post this year in review first, but I did enjoy it the most of the three novels thusfar. This series isn’t really among my favorites, but it seems to be positioning itself in the tier of series that are right below my favorites. Not a bad place to be. There’s Bones to thank for that.
Fire Baptized (Habitat #1) by Kenya Wright - I inhaled this book as well. This fresh take on the urban fantasy genre was just what I needed at the time and unlike some series where the sequels don’t measure up, its sequel certainly did and I look forward to book 3!
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion - I enjoyed this book quite a bit, as well as the movie. It presented a different take on the genre that I found refreshing.
A Blood Seduction (Vamp City #1) by Pamela Palmer - an alternate Washington, DC gets some bonus points! This book introduced a pretty intriguing world. I read it in a day and enjoyed it, so that’s why it gets a mention. Just beware that this isn’t true romance. If you go in with those expectations you’ll likely be disappointed.
The Fire Lord’s Lover (The Elven Lords #1) by Kathryne Kennedy - I read this particular book in one day and I loved the world building and build up to the eventual romance. Unfortunately the sequels never really struck the same chord.
So all in all it’s been a good year! This blog has been good to me. YOU guys have been good to me. And I hope 2013 is even better!! The great thing about books is that there’s something for everybody. I wish you all a very Happy New Year!
Givaway Winner Selected!
Hi everyone! The time has come and now we have a winner! As always, I want to thank all of you for participating. If you posted in the comment section of the announcement thread, you were entered for a chance (or multiple chances for those following the blog multiple ways) to win. And the winner is:
Cindi
Please check your email, Cindi! Hope you enjoy! Thank you everyone for the continued support and I look forward to the next giveaway which is currently ongoing, and of course there’s more on the way!
Iced (Dani O’Malley #1) by Karen Marie Moning - Review+Giveaway!
Review
This controversial spin-off of the Fever series switches from the point of view of MacKayla Lane’s to her former sidekick, Dani “Mega” O’Malley. After a tragic revelation, Dani goes from friend to foe. On the run from Mac, Dani does what she does best-survive. Of course her super powers make her a target for bigger and badder supernaturals, namely Ryodan, the immortal nightclub owner, and Christian, an Unseelie prince in the making after a shocking turn of events from the original novels. Her abilities are particularly useful after certain parts of the already ravaged city turn up frozen, killing innocent people for no apparent rhyme or reason. To save her city, she begrudgingly joins forces with these guys, though her mere compliance may not be all they have in mind.
To be honest, I wasn’t really sure if I’d like this book. Dani was fine for me as a supporting character, but I wasn’t quite sure if she could be main character material. After actually reading it I’m still not quite sure, but the final product turned out better than I thought. Moning adopts a completely different voice for Dani and she is every bit the obnoxious teen that we’ve come to love or loath. I try to cut her some slack; she facing the most awkward time of her life with little to no support system, and she still wants to do good things and protect people.
Moning can do the love triangle thing pretty well. Normally I don’t like them, but the Barrons/V’Lane thing was an exception. In this instance, it’s got an extra little statutory dimension that’s bound to ruffle a few feathers. The book walks a fine line for me, but I can see how it could cross it for other readers. I just keep in mind that these guys are immortal and they are enamored with the woman Dani will be, not the girl she is now. But again, it’s a fine line. Her human buddy, Dancer, is also another good prospect (and probably the healthiest), but 3 potential love interests obviously makes things a bit crowded. Someone’s gotta go.
The mystery wasn’t that great to me. It was interesting the first couple of times, but it felt a little repetitive after a while as they stumbled upon scene upon scene. However, a new recurring villain is introduced, and boy is she freaky! I loved reading those scenes and I felt genuinely scared!
I wish there was more Mac and Barrons presence, but I wasn’t expecting that so it wasn’t too disappointing. Cruce is also back, tormenting the Sidhe Seers in their dreams. I don’t know about anybody else, but I hope there is a more permanent solution to get rid of him for good. Not a big fan of rapists and I don’t care to read about them on an on-going basis if it doesn’t include their deserved castration…A little much? Sorry…
All in all, there were flashes of brilliance that reminded me why I love the original Fever novels (they’re my #2 or #3 fave), but it wasn’t quite as addictive for me. I read all 5 Fever novels in 6 days. This one took me a few days, but I will definitely continue reading. This world is just too good to resist.
*Review copy provided by the publisher.
Giveaway
I am collecting entries through Saturday, November 24th. I will announce the winner the next day.
How to Enter (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY): My giveaways are only open to followers of Your Urban Fantasy who are 18 years of age or older. In order to enter YOU MUST COMMENT ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT POST! If you’re a new member, sign up on the right panel to follow my blog via email and/or Twitter. (Make sure you check your email to confirm your subscription. You should receive a notification immediately, so check your spam folder if you don’t see it right away). Current followers can just say so in their post and your entry will be added. Overall, there are up to 3 chances to win:
- Follow this blog via email (THIS IS REQUIRED)
- Follow me on Twitter (bonus entry)
- “Like” Your Urban Fantasy on Facebook (bonus entry)
While I do appreciate RSS subscribers, I cannot confirm your status as a follower so your entry will not count (sorry!); however, you are welcome to sign up by email and Twitter or Facebook. Good luck!
More Moning on the Way! We’ve got a cover for Iced from Fever World!
Fellow Fever Fanatics, there’s more to this world yet! If you didn’t know, the series got an extension for 5 more books. 3 are going to be spin-offs, and then the subsequent two take us back to Mac and Barrons. The cover is beautiful! I’m assuming the lovely lady in the middle is Dani all grown up! The compete title is “Iced: A Dani O’Malley Novel (Fever World #1)”
Synopsis: I’m currently working on a trilogy that features Dani, Christian MacKeltar, Ryodan, and the mysterious ‘Dancer,’ set primarily in Fever-Dublin. Each installment in the trilogy is a stand-alone mystery, however there are larger plot arcs unfolding in the background…
..For those of you who have been worrying—the trilogy is not YA. If I had to categorize it, I would say it straddles the line between YA and adult uneasily. …Many of the questions I left unanswered in the FEVER series are addressed in this new series.
Exciting news: I’ve agreed to write two more books after that. Once the new trilogy is complete, I’m returning to the core story begun in the FEVER series, and will resume writing about Mac, Barrons, V’lane, Cruce, the Unseelie king, the concubine, the Song of Making.
So is anyone else really looking forward to it? It will be nice to read about Dani and all, but in my mind I’m counting down to more Mac and Barrons, 
.
Follow YOUR URBAN FANTASY
crystal on 
Anne on 